The Belvidere School District has agreed to pay an estimated $1,500 to $1,750 to PR Etc. to allow the public relations and marketing agency to facilitate the schools' strategic planning process.

School Board members voted in June to create a three- to five-year strategic plan that outlines the goals and priorities of the district. The previous plan ended in the 2012-2013 school year.

According to the contract, PR Etc. will bring board members, educators and residents together to create a plan that district leaders could refer to moving forward.

Agency staff may review the previous strategic plan to determine what worked and the status of current projects. They could help guide discussions on how resources could be allocated to achieve the district's top goals. They may also provide a specific list of tactics and objectives tied to top priorities.

"As an impartial third party, PR Etc. can facilitate meaningful, sometimes difficult, conversations, provide a strategic outside viewpoint and work with the participants to develop a road map for future success," according to the contract.

The meeting could take place in one session. The final written report would be completed within two weeks after the session.